#HPHM Jacob's Sibling

[catohphm]

Hogwarts Mystery MC Profile - Cato Reese (Updated)

Hi everyone! A lot of things prompted me to update my Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery MC’s character sheet. 

Some creators have left the fandom or changed/scrapped their OCs since I published his profile last year. I’ve changed some things around for my MC too. Naturally, his character sheet deserves an update. I’ve improved the formatting of the paragraphs so they’re easier to read. Information on Cato’s interactions with Rakepick has been added too!

Enjoy, and feel free to like, reblog, and even leave a reply! You can also send me asks or DMs if you have question about Cato or would like to plot interactions/friendships! Both new and existing interactions are welcome! Just let me know and I’ll put your OC’s name on his friend list!

Name: Cato Edwin Reese

Nicknames: Wingbear (in Quidditch, thanks to @judediangelo75 for helping come up with it) Sunshine (by close friends and Penny)

Birthdate: April 13th, 1973

Zodiac sign: Pisces

MBTI type: ISFJ (the Defender)

Blood status: Half-Blood

Nationality: British/American with some Italian, German and Austrian from his father’s side. Irish, Scottish and Native American from his mother. 

Physical Appearance

(wonderful art by @hphm-jeniferltheman)

Hair: Somewhat short, but thick and a bit curly.

Eyes: Dark brown

Height: 1.82 meters or 6 feet.

Weight: Healthy weight for his age and height.

Body type: slim, yet athletic and somewhat muscular from Quidditch.

Skin tone: Fair

Distinguishing marks (scars, birthmarks, etc.):

from childhood:

Obscure scar on leg from getting a cut while trying to stop a stone statue from smashing on the road.

acquired in teenage years/adulthood:

scars from injuries sustained while playing Quidditch

Background

Hometown:

Mount Ridgetop, Grasmere, South Lakeland, Cumbria, England (birth-18)

London, England (18-)

Family:

Mother - Reilly Reese (neé Catori)

Reilly was a pure-blood American witch who became an herbologist after graduating from Ilvermorny. She studied the application of magical herbs and fungi to the medical field. In 1967-68, she and Cato’s dad had a son named Alexander after marrying. 

Seeking a more quiet and peaceful lifestyle to raise their children, the Reese family purchased a big house from an elderly couple in the South Lakeland district of Cumbria. They moved in during the year 1970. She gave birth to Cato on April 13, 1973. Alex was around five years old at the time. 

She homeschooled her kids instead of sending them to a muggle primary school. Reilly didn’t believe it had any particular benefit for them. She was also worried about what would happen if her sons’ classmates found out that they had magical powers. 

The boy’s mother retired from Herbology and opened a cafe-restaurant in the village of Grasmere. Her sons helped out at the restaurant to learn responsibility and life skills.

When Alex disappeared after his expulsion, Reilly required a lot of calming draught to cope with the bad news, and Cato remembers this really well, though he would only talk about within his circle of friends at Hogwarts.

Once he got back, she allowed him to turn Alex’s room into a guest room for friends to stay as the memories of him running away were too strong for her to bear and she wasn’t ready to be reminded of them.

Father - Wilfred “Freddie” Reese

He met Reilly Catori in the United States while he was still an auror. Freddie was on an assignment to assist MACUSA with curbing riots over the abolition of Wizard-Muggle segregation under Rappaport's Law in 1965.

He enjoyed his job but he longed to be able to settle down and spend more time raising his family. This became more imperative after the birth of his son Alexander. After recovering from a dangerous injury, he spent some time in the Improper Use of Magic Office.

In 1970, Freddie was offered a position as a legislator on the Wizengamot. He was highly recommended because of his sense of justice and work ethic. He accepted the position. In his first 10 years on the bench, he would aid in the prosecution of many Death Eaters, including Merula’s parents.

Freddie‘s parents lived in a seaside town in the southern region of England. Their house was close to the beach, and he played a lot together with his two sons whenever the family visited. Freddie played the piano as a hobby, and sometimes performed at his wife’s restaurant. He also taught Cato this skill.

Whenever it came to disagreements, he knew that unnecessary hitting or yelling never helped the situation. Freddie still stuck to his auror training even after he joined the Wizengamot. He would first try to listen and negotiate, and then step out for the night if the situation didn’t get better to let things calm down. 

However when Alex was expelled from school and ended up disappearing, it was different. Reilly was in no mood to talk. She was desperate for calming draught. Freddie left the house to get ingredients to make more of the potion as his wife had used up the rest of the supply, but he never got back home that night. 

It is unknown what he did while he was away, but he showed up again about a week later, though he was filthy and riddled with injuries. Young Cato was scared and worried that his daddy would end up getting hurt and that he would never see him again. 

When he saw Freddie come back, Cato hugged him as tight as a little boy could. He was in tears and demanded to know where he went. The father couldn’t explain where he went or what he was doing, other than that according to him, his head was “really messed up.” 

Reilly was about to yell at him for leaving her and Cato behind. She couldn’t be angry when saw him dirty and hurt. The remaining family joined together in a group hug. 

They were ecstatic when Freddie came back from the market and showed Cato a sealed envelope from Hogwarts, which turned out to be his acceptance letter. He was called in from the patio behind the house to be informed of this news.

Before he left on the train to begin his first year, Freddie and Reilly promised to an anxious Cato they would take care of the home and business while he was gone.

Brother: Alexander “Alex” Reese

The bond between the Reese boys changed over time. Prior to Alex’s first year at Hogwarts, he was as close to Cato as a big brother could be. When free, they played on their parent’s somewhat spacious property. Sometimes they went exploring in the Lake District nearby. 

Because of his fondness of beautiful sunsets, Cato can remember the evenings when he and Alex just laid down in the grass watching the sun dip below the horizon and wait for the stars. Their mum set up a curfew for them to return back to the farm before dark after catching them out one night. 

As they got older, Alex grew strangely distant to Cato. They still visited the wilderness, but less often. They also spent less time out. Alex slowly drifted away and seemed distant to Cato.

Cato didn’t understand why his behavior was so weird. His parents were concerned too, as most days during the summer, Alex locked himself in his room to study or left to who knows where.

Alex, was the more impulsive and hotheaded boy. He developed an obsession with the Cursed Vaults at Hogwarts. The combined pressure from classes and the work that went into curse-breaking put a huge toll on his mental health. 

Early into his sixth year, Alex was expelled from Hogwarts.

After Cato finished his seventh year of education, he and Alex’s late best friend Duncan Ashe encouraged him to start rebuilding his life.

Hogwarts

House: Ravenclaw

Clubs: Dueling, Music

Best class: Herbology

Worst class: History of Magic (because of the lousy and lazy borefest Mr. Binns.)

Favorite professor: McGonagall

Least favorite professor: Snape

Boggart: His big brother Alex, jealous of his adventures and mad at him for ruining the family’s name.

Riddikulus: Alex wearing quidditch face paint in Ravenclaw colors and cheering Cato on using his nickname “Wingbear” while flapping his hands like 

Patronus: American Black Bear

Patronus memory: The group hug after seeing his father again following Alex’s disappearance

Mirror of Erised: His family reunited and happy, surrounded by all his friends

Amortentia (what he smells like): fresh spring water, vanilla flowers, and warm sweet tea

Amortentia (what he smells): dittany, coconut and caramel

Career

Ages 11-18: Hogwarts student

Ages 18-35: Auror

Ages 35-retirement: Healer

Personality & Attitude

Priorities: his Hogwarts education and exams, his friends, investigating his missing brother (in no particular order)

Strengths: empathy, compassion, intelligence, diligence, loyalty

Weaknesses: shyness, anxiety, overthinking

Stressed: in large crowds, pressure to succeed his exams while dealing with interference from the Cursed Vaults.

Calm/Comforting: Volunteering in the hospital wing, in the company of his close friends during classes, baking, watching sunsets, hearing the sound of rain beating against the window while studying (minus the thunder and lightning.)

Being sorted into Ravenclaw, Cato is intelligent and excels in most, if not all the core subjects at Hogwarts. He enjoys Transfiguration and Herbology the most. A hard-working and diligent boy, he dedicates himself to his studies a lot. Though he is prone to distractions if something else is on his mind and finds it hard to stay focused. 

Out in the socializing department, he is rather quiet and introverted. Cato usually doesn’t approach people he doesn’t know well. If you come up to him, he’s friendly and happy to chat as long as the questions do not get too personal. 

But beware, only approach him in a good mood though, cause if he’s overwhelmed, stressed out or trying to really concentrate for something like a test, Cato gets irritated and he doesn’t want to be forced to do something he ends up regretting, no?

He has a strong empathetic side. Forged by both how he was raised and having a distant relationship with his older brother that gradually deteriorated as the years passed, Cato is really close to relatives and friends he trusts. 

If he notices something out of the ordinary, he’ll leave what he’s doing and try to investigate, though sometimes to his friends he’ll admit as a younger boy he used to do so more out of curiosity. 

This is because while Cato tries his best to offer help if he sees someone in need, he used to struggle with it quite a bit, most of the time moving on while doubting if he could’ve actually ended up being helpful to them. 

Especially through his first to third year of studies at Hogwarts, Cato is a rather shy boy, hence why he had trouble figuring out how to respond when he noticed a person that appeared to be in need of assistance. 

He was also reluctant to take part in clubs or groups instead of running solo. In large crowds, it is easy for poor Cato to get overwhelmed, him feeling awkward and uneasy. He may be so tense that his face turns red and has a little bit of difficulty breathing. To feel better, he leaves and seeks solitude in order to calm down and let go of the tension. 

Out in Quidditch though, Cato isn’t as bothered as much as he is in a big open field and flying on a broom, plus his friends and mates are out there to support him and cheer him on. The sport slowly helps him build his patience and tolerance of large crowds though he still has some reservations.

In front of his close friends and family, Cato enjoys physical affection. He loves giving and receiving hugs. He usually gives one when he feels soft, like when he is thanked by a friend or told something that makes him really happy. While touch-starved, he prefers to receive hugs from his close friends.

It took Cato some time to appreciate them because of his shyness and the pressure he faced from bullies in the early years. He was compared to his brother a lot. People either were afraid of him being a danger to the school or assumed he was “weird” like his brother to pick on him.

Training for quidditch and learning dueling helped him become stronger and gain confidence as he got older. Cato still kept his sweet and friendly, but shy demeanor. But he isn’t someone to be tousled with as he becomes strong, serious and brave when he or his friends feel threatened. 

His tolerance for nonsense slowly faded away as he got older and by his seventh year he was weary of fighting R and cracking the Cursed Vaults. Cato was a bit paranoid as well as a result of R’s desperation and expecting the unexpected, though he didn’t express this much in public and kept it within his circle of friends.

Cato has a fondness for nature and he enjoys pointing out the wonderful things he sees if he is in a good mood. He also loves talking about his hobbies and his days as a kid before entering Hogwarts. 

He finds family in his friends and appreciates them very much as he didn’t have many friends before his first year. Not just his older brother drifting away from him. Cato’s parents also kept him busy with homeschooling and helping in the restaurant to teach him responsibilities. 

Cato may seem shy and not the type to be engaged for long periods of time. But with patience and dedication, he can end up one of the most loyal and trusted friends one can have.

Favorites

Color: blue

Food: bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich

Drink: iced coffee with cream and sugar

Weather: clear with blue skies, no too hot or cold, preferably no humidity

Hobbies: photography, reading, history, 

Fashion: Simple, but Cato tends to wear clothes that match due to his mum. He prefers colors like mint green that are light, but not too bland or boring. Sometimes he wears a jean jacket that Penny got him as a birthday gift on cooler days. However Cato also developed a soft spot for the color purple. In the summer, he mostly wears shorts, being one for balancing practicality with style.

Relationships

Penny Haywood (wife)

Cato first met Penny in his first year after he won against Merula in a duel, albeit an unsanctioned one. Running late on their way to their next class, Rowan dared Cato to race them to Charms, the one making it to the door first before the bell rang being the winner. He was catching up to Rowan when he tripped and fell in the corridor. 

They stopped when they heard him fall and asked if they were okay, but was forced to leave and enter the classroom when the bell rang so as to not be late. 

A pretty Hufflepuff girl had seen everything and approached Cato after his fall. She helped him up and returned his books to him. Although Cato was usually a shy boy, his recent victory instilled a little bit of confidence in him. The corridor was also empty except for him and the girl. 

She introduced herself as Penny and told him how he was becoming famous for standing up to Merula’s tyranny. Used to living a quiet humble life and not having many friends, Cato was really doubtful. He stuttered as he tried to explain that he was just trying to help Ben. 

Penny told him that she was impressed with his bravery and compassion too, even offering to introduce him to her friends in Hufflepuff. Cato reluctantly accepted, knowing inside that he was fed up with getting picked on. He appreciated that someone validated that he did the right thing after getting in trouble with Snape, losing house points as a consequence of the duel. 

As young Cato was intimidated by the tall Potions Master who watched his apothecary like a crow, he was glad to have a friend that was skilled in potions. He and Penny became great friends. She helped him study potions and even feel less intimidated by Snape.

This friendship eventually developed into romantic feelings in their third year, when Penny helped Cato escape an overcrowded Three Broomsticks. She didn’t confess her feelings to him until after the summer. 

They had their first kiss during the Celestial Ball in their fourth year. Tensions arose between them in their fifth year when Penny’s younger sister Beatrice was trapped in a portrait early in the term. 

She, driven by stress and anxiety, desperately tried to find a way to communicate and free her sister, even brewing a calming draught when that didn’t work. Cato was disappointed in Penny. She knew as a potions expert that experimenting with NEWT-level potions recipes without instructions or supervision was very dangerous.

He understood that Bea in danger impaired Penny’s normal thought process. She became desperate to help her. Eventually Bea was freed after the Portrait Vault was defeated, but the trap had consequences affecting her into her second year.

Although Penny in her sixth year had to deal with a strained bond with Bea as a result of the trap’s effects on her mind and how it affected her relationship with friends and family, she shared her feelings with Cato that they were growing weary of having their lives gripped by drama and dated in secret. 

They found comfort in finding secluded places around the castle and grounds where they could spend time in private and vent out grievances they had about the matters happening around the school without anyone listening in on them. 

Cato and Penny agreed together their kids should not have to go through the hardships they had to face as children and later teens.

After graduating from Hogwarts, Cato and Penny moved into a flat in London. She trained as a potioneer while he took courses to become an Auror. The two soon were engaged and got married in 1995. 

A year later, they joined the Order of the Phoenix to help their friends in the war against Voldemort and the Death Eater Menace, fighting in the Battle of Hogwarts in 1998. Following the war, Cato and Penny had two sons. 

He eventually retired from Auror work in 2002 and became a healer at St. Mungo’s Hospital For Magical Maladies and Injuries. This was to provide a more stable life for his family. Penny as a potioneer also joined him and Chiara to work together with him at the hospital.

Friends

Gryffindor 

Emma Galloway @mjs-oc-corner​

Verna Malinda @gaygryffindorgal​

Ryan O'Donnell @unfortunate-arrow​

Thalia Dyer @autisticarachnid

Abia Khouri @abianeverdecides​​

more TBA

Hufflepuff

Willa Corbyn @mjs-oc-corner

Bridget Corbyn @mjs-oc-corner

David Willows @that-scouse-wizard

Amelia Booth @that-scouse-wizard

Perry Santiago @cursebreakerfarrier

Sara O'Donnell @unfortunate-arrow

Jeniferl Thelman @hphm-jeniferltheman

Gwen Dunmoore @ag907

Sarahi Silvers @dat-silvers-girl

​Salem Jordan @autisticarachnid​

more TBA

Ravenclaw

Lyss Fletcher @lyss-fletcher

Matthew Luther @hphmmatthewluther

Hori and Hollis Griffith @nicos-oc-hell

Georgie Faraday @cursebreakerfarrier

Margot Dawes @cursebreakerfarrier

Conor O' Donnell @unfortunate-arrow

Ruth Lyman @unfortunate-arrow

Helena Durazzo @helenadurazzo

Adel Young @adellovesrowan​

more TBA

Slytherin

Rhia McCarthy @mjs-oc-corner

Colette Belrose @gcldensnitch

Jules Farrier @cursebreakerfarrier​

Cara O'Donnell @unfortunate-arrow​

Samara Graham @autisticarachnid​

more TBA

(Again, my DMs and asks are open if you have a HPHM MC and want to interact with Cato! Just hmu! No pressure of course!)

Rivals

Merula Snyde

One of the bullies that targeted Cato in his first year, not just for his brother being expelled but how being a “shy Ravenclaw wimp who just can’t suck up the blame” made her think he was a pushover. 

A rivalry boiled between him and Merula after he defeated her in an unsanctioned duel. She swore to never be defeated again, and trained harder, even reaching out to Diego to tutor her. Still, Cato continued to beat her in display of his prowess. 

He practiced together with his friends while Merula, wanting to be the “most powerful witch at Hogwarts” did so mostly alone and sparred together with others less often. She tried to frame him for the theft of potion ingredients from Professor Snape’s office but underestimated his intelligence and ended up getting caught herself. 

Eventually the rivalry died down after year three as Merula grew tired of always getting the same result no matter how hard she tried. For a change, she focused more on her studies and trying to make up with those she bullied, realizing that her attachment to her parents imprisoned in Azkaban was doing no good for her life. 

As they matured, Merula and Cato ended up becoming good friends, both done with having their school lives being consumed by drama and letting go of their tolerance for nonsense shenanigans. 

She even helped him study for his NEWTs in his seventh year since Cato was prone to becoming tired and falling asleep under the pressure to excel in his exams. He also ignored the senseless gossip and rumors that consumed the everyday conversations of most students.

Patricia Rakepick

Cato was first acquainted with Madam Rakepick in his fourth year. She was hired by Dumbledore to aid in the investigation of the Cursed Vaults. Under Ministry pressure, he sought her as a professional because of concerns of leaving it up to students to protect Hogwarts. The headmaster knew Cato and his friends were the only hope to keep the school safe from the curses. Although he could not risk losing his positions at Hogwarts, the Ministry, nor the International Confederation of Wizards.

He admired Rakepick’s talent and prestige as a world-class curse breaker. She also had a niffler named Sickleworth that Cato loved to play with. They bonded while her caretaker let him borrow him for a little while. They were both sad to say goodbye when Rakepick wanted Sickleworth back. Inside, he had a gut feeling that something was off about Rakepick. Snape shared this and gave him a Garroting Gas to use in case she validated his suspicions.

In his fifth year, the curse-breaker accepted a job offer as the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. She was the best teacher that Cato ever had in the subject. He respected and looked up to her as one. Without the school or his friends’ knowledge, he was drafted by her as one of her apprentices to break into the Portrait Vault.

Cato’s opinion on Rakepick changed one day. He came across the Marauder’s Map and showed it to her out in the training grounds. They noticed a marker that was zipping suspiciously fast across the map. Cato was suspicious that she wanted to take the map from him. He swiped the map off the table and put it in his robe before the professor could grab it. He then drew his wand and confronted Rakepick, telling her he knew he was up to now good. 

Instead of a duel, she responded his challege by asking him to meet her in her classroom after the lesson the next day. Rakepick intentionally destroyed Cato’s first wand as a threat to not further mess with her. 

Inside the portrait vault, Cato was shocked when Rakepick abruptly cased the Cruciatus Curse on Merula. He knew she was suspicious but had no idea she could be this nasty.

Cato was the most infuriated he had been in his entire life. He shouted “You, destructive, selfish, two-timing monster!” He prepared to throw the Garroting Gas. “Rakepick, you’ll suffer eternal damnation for your disregard for human life!” He tossed the vial at Rakepick. 

The explosion released Merula from the curse and incapacitated the rogue. She uttered to the group “Bloody hell! How could you snot-nosed brats do this to me? The rogue curse-breaker then confessed to manipulating and kidnapping Cato’s brother after he got kicked out of school. She told him that Alex was her slave in hunting for the vaults. Rakepick had used Cato’s brother to draw blame away from herself, hence why he got expelled. She turned to Cato and made him her apprentice in the hopes of recruiting him for R. 

One of the reasons why Rakepick was forthcoming was that she was not entirely loyal to R. She, not content with her fame as a curse-breaker, joined them for her own motives of power and fortune. She didn’t say it, but she was also impressed at the abilities of Cato and his friends. 

Later, he would suspect she also opened up in an attempt to discourage anyone from trying pursue her, knowing what she was capable of. The curse-breaker was good at impressions and boasting about her accomplishments. She then proclaimed “This is not over! R will succeed and you all will pay for this costly mistake!” before apparating out of the room.

Rakepick had escaped, but she was now known as a wanted person. Cato’s sixth year would be spent trying to keep up with his studies while trying to keep Hogwarts and his friends safe from her. 

Eventually, she would be corned in the Sunken Vault. After a hard-fought, wicked duel, she was laying on the cold floor, exhausted and out of fight. Cato chose to leave her for Moody and his aurors to pick up. She deserved to face justice for her crimes.

Trivia

Cato loves to bake. He learned it when he helped out at his mother’s restaurant in their village. While at Hogwarts he sometimes honed his skills and made cookies for him and his friends to enjoy. He sometimes asked them to give him feedback on them so that the next batch would be better. During a food poison scare in his fifth year, Cato volunteered in the kitchens for a while and occasionally did so in his final two years to help escape stress and drama for a bit.

His favorite things to take pictures of are amazing sights in nature, mostly the sunset. One of Cato’s most prized possessions is a color photo of the sun setting over the castle that he got from Chiara as a gift for helping her clear up her anxieties about her being the monster attacking a student and going through her transformation phase when she gave all of her Wolfsbane to Lupin. Cato still had the photo after graduation and had it framed to preserve it.

To try to help with his socializing and overcome his anxieties, Cato frequently volunteered in the hospital wing. His time spent there also aided in building his empathy and compassion as a teen. The skills and experience gained also helped Cato when he was hired as a Healer at St. Mungo following his retirement in curse-breaking.

In Quidditch, Cato was a chaser for the Ravenclaw team. He went by the nickname “Wingbear” during games and while at practice.

He has some knowledge of the German language from his grandparents from his father’s side. They live in a small seaside town in Southern England. In the summers before he went to Hogwarts, Cato’s parents sometimes took him there to visit the beach for a few days. They stayed at the grandparent’s house, and that is how Cato learned some of the language. Sometimes he’d study it a little at Hogwarts when he was free too.

The Reese family lived in a spacious English Tudor style house atop a hill. It was named Mount Ridgetop by the previous owner. The family kept it when they moved in there out of gratitude. The house was built by Muggles for an elderly wizarding couple who lived successful lives in the United States. They sold it to the Reese family to pay for their upcoming funerals, later moving in with relatives where they would enjoy their final days.

[ramblings-of-a-mad-cat]

These so called “friends” of MC’s suck. I swear I lose faith in more and more of them with every new chapter. At least we can see who our true friends are I guess since they still manage to be supportive even with any doubts they might have. Too bad there’s very few of them now. Some of them still support Merula but not MC and that stings ngl. How can they stand with her even after everything but can’t do the same for MC? Fuck them.

Whoa nellie, I got like a dozen different messages expressing similar sentiments to this one, including at least a few that specifically targeted Ismelda and/or Beatrice. And hey, you're not in the wrong for how you're feeling, though I'm not sure I agree.

The main issue here is that The Circle of Khanna is treated as a collective. That's been a problem in how our friends were written for quite some time now. What, every single one of them wants to withdraw at the beginning of Year 7? I don't buy that. Penny, sure. But Tonks? Ben? No way in hell. The group is treated as a singular entity which ignores a lot of the nuance and conflict that would arise from this. I suppose something similar happened with the D.A. in the books, and in general, writing large groups of people can be tricky, but still. This is the reason why The Circle (initially) turns on MC. Because they are the embodiment of honoring Rowan. How could they not? I am glad to see that it was only temporary, though.

At the end of the day, I don't think that it's so much that MC is Peregrine's child so much as it is that MC knew and kept it hidden from The Circle. In general, it's not handled brilliantly, because MC didn't know about Peregrine until just a few chapters ago, and I think they can be forgiven for taking some time to process how they feel about this - but then again, the various members of The Circle may also need time to process it, and let their brains catch up with what it might mean. In particular, Barnaby's reaction was probably frustrating for a lot of folks (though it was no surprise to me, at this point) that he had to work out if MC was bad just because their Dad was. Obviously, of all people, he should know better...but then again, does he truly comprehend his own family as being "bad?" Maybe he does and I'm just being stupid, but I don't know. Trying to figure it out is all.

Ben's reaction was the most upsetting to me, but it's not like it doesn't make sense. The Circle of Khanna began that night in the Forbidden Forest, and it began with him, Merula, and MC. Ben is likely feeling quite isolated right now because of these twists and turns. Merula is one of them, and MC might be as well. True, it's not their fault that their Dad runs R, but why didn't they say so? Can he be truly certain that MC is on his side? Because Merula wasn't. Ben hasn't said anything to this effect (yet) but he is the last founding member of The Circle who remains safe. The others are compromised, no two ways about it. MC now has a conflict of interest, and Merula sure as hell does too. How is Ben supposed to feel about that? How is anyone?

As for Beatrice and her line about how "interesting" things have gotten...yeah, that was bizarre. I can offer no interpretation of it that puts Bea in a good light, so I'll just refer to my classic escape route that I've used before and argue that flavor text isn't necessarily canon. It's not part of the main scene, so therefore I choose to ignore it. That might be a little silly, but it's the best I've got. I've talked about Ismelda in previous posts, but the short answer is that I feel like, given her extensive history with Merula...she's perfectly allowed to feel uncertain about this. If MC can feel uncertain about Peregrine, I think that's only fair.

Speaking of Merula...yeah, it is strange that The Circle is more divided about her than it is about MC. But, if it's any consolation, I think time heals all wounds. The Circle of Khanna was initially confused and horrified to learn about MC's lineage, but they came around and pretty much universally sided with them (except Ben) understanding that none of this was MC's fault. Which is a lot more support than Merula got. She only got 50% of the Circle to let her stay. Not to mention, there are pragmatic reasons to keep her around as well. There's no reason to assume that everyone who voted for Merula automatically forgives her, the way the gang seem to have forgiven MC.

It's just a lot to handle. These characters are young. They've lost so much, and grown up in an atmosphere of uncertainty, never knowing who they can trust. Betrayal has been a huge theme in this game. Ben was suspected from Year 2 to Year 5. Rakepick betrayed everyone in the Portrait Vault. Merula has been a spy since at least Year 6. The question of how shady Jacob may be has been central to the entire story. Not to mention that MC has always been a little ambiguous in their nature. They are and have always been a trickster. It's just how the game is written. For better or for worse, they have a lot in common with Jacob, (who went rogue) as well as Peregrine. (Enough said...) Like, MC has the same quality of talking people into doing things for them. We now know where they get that talent.

The Circle of Khanna learned the truth, and experienced a creeping doubt about Jacob's Sibling. But it didn't take long for (most of) them to shake it off and learn to trust MC again.

[tiny-chiro]

I know I haven't posted anything lately, so I'll leave it here .

[amberheavendremurr]

So technically in Year 3 Chapter 4 we learn the Petrificus Totalus spell in charms which is a Defensive Spell that can be used in Duelling and is VERY effective!

But when we came at the end of the lesson, Professor Flitwick basically made me perform the spell on Ben Copper and uh-

Yeah...

Don't worry he's fine!

But I can't say anything for his body being still and binded on the floor ;-;

[khamoise]

She's pomegranate.

This is kind of the continuation from my previous post!

[incorrecthogwartsmysteryquotes]

MC: We've got to face it, we've changed. Well, not you Merula, you're still sadistic and self-centred.

[redhairedgryffindor]

TLSQ Valentines In Hogwarts Beyond but My MCs Kissing All Characters

[jacobscursebreakerlilsis]

They're talking about Scabbers😂💀🤚🏼

🐀

[unabashednightmarepizza]

Hiii could you make a dating Talbott Winger headcannons I love him so much and I really think he’d be like the I hate everyone but you trope

A/N: I'm sorry that it took such a long time for me to write but I was battling with stress and life lately, and now that I'm fine, I started to have so many ideas but I need to finish request and write the chapters that had been waiting for ages in my documents lol.

And thank you everyone, who waited patiently!

P.S: I don't remember whne this ask was sent so I'm gonna put this on my "Summer Celebration" post!

Requests are OPEN!

𝐷𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑇𝑎𝑙𝑏𝑜𝑡𝑡 𝑊𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑟 𝐼𝑛𝑐𝑙𝑢𝑑𝑒𝑠...

We all know Talbott is a silent boy, he prefers to stay away from trouble unlike a certain person that has his interest, but it doesn't mean that he doesn't have an adventurous side of him.

Yet, I still believe that he likes to have some kind of... control? When doing something? Like, yeah, he takes risks.

Just not extreme risks

Or, if you were to introduce him to some muggle vehicles, I think he would love to ride a bike with you and watch as your laugh would be carried to hus ears as the sight of you all happy and glowing would consume him.

Yeah, our boi definetly has a way with words.

Except the point that he made you swear to never talk about the first time he tried it as you showed how to bike, and he fell hard while being busy admiring you in return.

You, of course, accepted it with a giggle but not without crossing your finger because Bill demanded he had to know everything about your date.

He also swoons whenever you beat someone's ass in dueling. There were many times you rocked people's shits, especially Merula's since she always demanded one only to loose, to the point that no one actually stood a chance against you and refused to train.

Proud boyfriend Talbott and proud mama Bill moment 🥺😭

Like really, there isn't something you would do/make that he wouldn't be proud of and supportive

Crochet? Amazing, could you make a hat or a swan plushie? Draw? Excellent! Maybe you could teach me a few things, dove? You want to deceive the first years by playing an innocent game? Well, it's not like him... But he would be down with it anyways, especially after the ultimate "puppy eyes" weapon.

For some reasons, I see his whole vibe with you as Harry Style's "Golden" song 😭😭🥰🥰

It's literally the song that phrases your relationship!

"I know you were way too bright for me/ I'm hopeless, broken, so you wait for me in the sky..."

" Don't wanna let you know I don't wanna be alone/ But I can feel it take a hold, I can feel it take a hold..."

"I can feel you take control, I can feel you take control/ Of who I am, and all I've ever known lovin' you's the antidote..."

Since he didn't have his parents from a young age, and that they were killed right in front of him, Talbott had difficulties with associating himself with people around him.

That doesn't mean he hated them, or didn't want to talk. He did, he really did... He just didn't know how, and was scared that they would be gone too.

Especially early in your "friendship" that he often denied, but secretly liked the taste of the word on his tongue, he pushed and pushed people away, especially you... until only he was left.

But hey, it was a good thing that you were a persistent little shit because not only you were able to befriend him and show the true colors of life, show him that many people cared about him, you also took his heart and soul for yourself... like, for good.

Yeah, Talbott is definetly one of those rare guys who would stay loyal to his partner until the day he died and then even more.

If there was one thing you never expected from him by how he seemed so reserved, it was the fact that he was clingy when alone. Like, eagle boy would do anything to cuddle, hold hands with you, kiss and hug and do anything you ask for.

His hand holding is much more frequent than other forms of PDA. Talbott isn't very keen on them, since he hates attention, but hand holding under the table disecretly happens a lot.

He sits with you during breakfast and dinner, evennif you were in a different house, and your friends tease you for it affectionately.

He especially hold your hand thightly when he feels overwhelmed, or sad because of remembering his mother... to feel grounded, because he often feels like he lives in auto mode where he doesn't actually know what he is doing and doesn't have control.

That's when you step in.

When that happens, and Talbott usually tries to make it all go away through drowning himself in his studies, you would often look for him in thr library. But since he didn't want you to disturb your own peace just to find him, and he also didn't want to be found in a fragile state, he would go for less predictable areas.

He knew it saddened you whenever he refused to talk about his problems, he was aware and it broke his heart too... But he was scared.

You were the best thing that happened to him, even when he thought and still thinks he wasn't worth being loved, even when he thought he wouldn't find any ounce of happiness... Because why would he? He didn't have anyone left from his family at such a young age, his other relatives didn't care much and he was bad at socialising.

He fought and fought, but for what?

But then you came, stubbornly wanting to be his friend... Alongside the huge friend group you brought, and now he had a lot to loose but also a lot he gained.

He didn't understand why someone like you, the hero of Hogwarts, would find anything in him to activelly seek out to be friends with him...

But whatever it was, he was glad. Glad for your stubborn heart, glad because thanks to you, he found a new family.

You healed his aching heart with your sweet smiles, reassuring words and selflessness. Slowly but surely, you settled deep in his heart and after time, he realized he loved you... Immensely.

He couldn't pinpoint the exact moment obviously, but maybe... he always loved you, while watching from afar... While you won Quidditch, solved the mysteries about the Vaults, saved the school one many times... Or how you achieved more than average witch in your age, or how you risked your whole school life just to help him find the necklace of his mother.

Perhaps he realized right then and there that yes, he was in love with you and yes, he was already too deep to get out of that hole that was love.

And he didn't want to, for he was used to darkness when you came with the light of your eyes and heart, and saved him.

He could never be that boy he once was, and he didn't want to. Because now, he had you and a future to hold on to.

You both were the ones who confessed first, under the night sky as you both blushed at the cliche sight but you were content, happy to call this amazing, kind, thoughful and strong boy your lover.

Like I said before, there are a lot of things he wants to do with you: Travel together, have late night dinner dates, go to a beach, have a little cabin at the outskirts of Scotland...

But above all... There is one thing he wants to do with you the most one thing that often has him blushing and unable to sleep.

Grow old with you.

NOW TO THE FUN PART, ENOUGH DEPRESSING

Whenever you try to find him, out of class and studying sessions you both have, he is in the Owlery and all the owl LOVES him! Like really, whenever you two hang out in the school grounds, a flock of them comes and finds him and perches on both of your shoulders happily while picking on your hairs or hiding behind them in a way of playing with you.

He loves jewelries, mostly necklaces and bracelets, so whenever you buy something for yourself, he demands one too.

And he also loves matching with you too, so any necklaces, he's matching with you. It's one of the subtle ways of telling everyone that you/he was taken.

All the teachers and your friends knew you two would be end game, from how in love you both seemed and how Talbott started to smile genuinely after such a long time.

But what sealed it for you both was when he asked you to come to the Owlery, that he had an important thing to say and hive to you.

Imagine your surprise when he looked at you so softly and offered the necklace that had his mother's swan feather, accompanied with the pendants of his initials.

"This necklace used to be the sign of all the things I lost, a reminder of death... But I know my mum would have wanted you to have it, the girl who means so much to me, who I imagine my life to be spent with... I want this to be the sign of our love and my loyalty to you, for you to carry on your neck and hopefully never take it out... If you will have it and me..."

Like I said, he is a one-woman kind of boy and when you start a relationship and things started to get serious and deep, Talbott wouldn't shy away from hinting at marriage and a life together.

Because if this didn't show you the depth of his love, I don't know what would.

Another cute gesture he does with you, especially in like 6th or 7th year, is to wrap his arms around you from behind and put his chin on top of your head after laying a tender kiss there. ( why do boys get so much taller in like a few months when I'm stuck at the same height for the rest of my life 😭)

You two often visit and stay until late in the Owlery. That place had become some kind of a safe space for you both, where you can be with each other in silent, read books or simply feed the owls happily.

OMG HIS FAVOURITE WAY OF SPENDING TIME WITH YOU IS READING ❤️😍

You liked reading books by yourself, but when your boyfriend had a raspy voice and was food at imitations of the characters, you didn't have to do anything except laying back on his chest as you buried yourself in his smell as he read to you, thightenung his hold on your frame.

But just as you loved being read to, he actually likes it as well. He is just bad at showing and telling that. But whenever you see him looking at a book, then at you with a pout, you know what he wants.

And who were you to deny him of that when he looked so cute?

Madam Pince, even though she resented you for pranking her and was close to banning you from the library, was now looking at you and your boyfriend softly because one, you finally weren't there to break the rules but rather trully reading and two, you also helped her clean the library with Talbott too.

But none of you needed to know.

Now that I mentioned her, all the teachers have had bets about your love life. Like when one of you will confess, when you will have a kiss, when you will have a date etc.

And quite creepily, Minerva and Flitwick almost all the time knows when and where and wins quite a few galleons.

Snape couldn't care less, because he hated your guts... Or mayyybee he was slightly interested since you gifted him a cake and offered good mornings every day even though he would snap and he started to not hate you but just dislike.

Sprout was just happy to see her two favourite students together, alongside with Minerva, and offered her blessing with an enchanted flower that would never wilt.

But Dumbledore? Oh, he always knew from the start and didn't bother with such childish act... but he had bets going on with others in the ministry soo~ (Don't get me wrong, I still hate him.)

You know when Hermione said that girls could get in boys' dormitory but they couldn't enter girls'?

Yeah, there were many times you did that, at the beginning for cuddles... And later in your last year, for different things *wink wink*

Ehem, another act he loves doing are ( and I need to say, if a man did that to me, I would simply melt) taking your hand in his and putting it on his chest, where his heart is and kissing your forehead and lingering his lips there for a few seconds more.

Just imagine the feels and how hard your heart would beat I-

FLOWERS! YOU BOTH GIVE EACH OTHER FLOWERS ALL THE TIME!

You giving him flowers actually has a funny story because you thought he wouldn't like them, especially early in your relationship

But you couldn't help but think that daisies would look good on his dark, long hair

So you hastily went to Hogsmeade, came back in a hurry and sent a letter to him through your owl to meet you in the Owlery

It was definetly worth seeing the dark red tint on his skin when tou explained why you wanted to give him them

"I wanted to show you that I care and love you a lot, and flowers are a great way to show it, especially since I enchanted them!.. And by your reaction, I'll do that more in the future!"

And yes, you did so... Even after being married for such a long time, eventually having kid/s and in your 60-70

And he never stopped blushing and returning the gesture just as sweetly, always adding a little blessing and thanks to Merlin for bringing you into his life

This headcanons are already taking so long so I'll stop here before it gets out of control lol

And I'll go and continue crying at the corner because I don't have a Talbott in my life 🥺

[cursedcrusaders]

When your ex gets a tongue piercing after the breakup.

Colors by @weirdcursedvaultkid :^> thank you for coloring this for me! You made this so much better

[catohphm]

Hogwarts Mystery: Aspirations of an Auror

Hey everyone!! Today, August 23, 2022, is the second anniversary of my blog opening on Tumblr! To commemorate this occasion, I prepared my latest HPHM fanfiction story to drop today! It is about my MC, Cato’s choices leading up to him training as an Auror after graduating Hogwarts! To help you all understand, I’ve also explained his motivations and rationale hunting the Cursed Vaults!

I had a blast writing this and I hope you all enjoy it! The continued support, love and positive vibes mean so much to me. Reblogs, replies, likes, and good asks/DMs are always appreciated<3

Cato’s career as an Auror was shaped by his experiences studying at Hogwarts. He never anticipated or planned that he would be instrumental in breaking the Cursed Vaults nor defeating the malicious group only known as R. 

His older brother Alex was expelled early into his sixth year. He ran away from home shortly after. This course of events left the family devastated and concerned for his safety. Unfortunately there was nothing they could do.

 Their wishes to have him back home were forced to the back pages of the Daily Prophet by the sensationalizing of Alex’s history of trouble and rumors that put Cato in a bad light. This did nothing to ease the concern of their parents, Freddie and Reilly.

Life had to go on. Until more news on their older son became available, the family had no choice but to adapt to a reality without him. Freddie had to go back to work on the Wizengamot. His wife had a cafe to run. They also had to prepare Cato for his first year at Hogwarts.

He put his school life first as a first year. Throughout that time, he made his first friends, focused on his schoolwork and built up his confidence against bullies. By standing up to Merula, Cato beat the nasty rumors being spread about him and earned himself a better social standing among the students. 

Cato welcomed the attention but also gave his friends credit for helping him. He wasn’t comfortable entirely establishing himself as the central hero of Hogwarts. This set him apart from Merula. He was nervous that with his status, many peers outside of his friends would expect him to be able to solve their problems. 

While he did research his brother and the Cursed Vaults, he only did so passively, and out of curiosity. Cato knew his limits. Being a first year, he wasn’t ready nor keen to go after them yet.

Alex sought fame and fortune. His younger brother would only begin actively hunting the Vaults when they started endangering the school. His second year kicked off like others. He was excited to have the chance to try out for Quidditch. That he did, becoming a chaser on the Ravenclaw team. He also took part in the Duelling Club. Later on, he would also volunteer in the Hospital Wing with Chiara when offered by Madam Pomfrey.

Around early October though, the Ice Vault would start poking its doors in Cato’s business. Ben was reported missing. He was later found injured close to the Vault’s entrance. The staff assured the students they would investigate the incidents. They were urged to leave the efforts to the adults. Cato would later overhear a discussion that would change everything.

Curious, he happened to listen in on a conversation between some of the professors with Rowan. They realized that the Ice Vault had been tampered with. Its curse had been tripped. The school would be in danger of being engulfed in a mass of ice, dooming its inhabitants. 

Cato was overwhelmed and afraid of this news. He had to be calmed down by Bill, Penny and Rowan. They assured him and agreed that if they had to, they would all solve the mystery together. 

The group told a teacher everything. She reminded them that the professors were looking into the matter, and not to worry about it. Cato sensed some repetition in her voice. He suspected Dumbledore was just having teachers keep the students calm - none of the adults working for the school would be making any cracks at the vault. It was rumored that the Headmaster was seeking a professional, a world-famous curse-breaker to take care of the vaults. 

He was very skeptical that hiring an outsider would work out. Cato didn’t fully trust the Ministry, Gringotts or any institutions connected with the government. They had disregarded his parents’ concerns about Alex’s safety. With his friends, he faced the Vault’s guardian and shut it down to keep Hogwarts safe from the curse.

 It was Cato’s concern and loyalty to his friends and Hogwarts, both as a school and its inhabitants that ultimately drove him to do the deed. He never wanted to endanger himself or his peers in the first place. Though they would never be safe if he hadn’t put his foot down when no one else did.

A few years later, Cato was taking his Ordinary Wizarding Level exams with aspirations of becoming an Auror. When asked why, he said he wanted to keep others safe from dangerous magic and terror groups. Cato believed that no more should be forced to face what he did as a student. He had broken the Cursed Vaults while lacking other viable options that ensured folks would be out of danger. 

On the other side, he enjoyed the teamwork, sleuthing, and even some of the adventure from his experiences. Finally, Cato’s conflict with R and Rakepick, who was Alex’s kidnapper, also led him to continue protecting people against the Dark Arts. 

Through both personal and altruistic goals, Cato's career as an auror would help secure a good life for the family he and Penny would give birth to, as well as their friends and other loved ones.

[ramblings-of-a-mad-cat]

Jacob, and both of MC’s parents were all in the same house as MC? This means that MC is a half blood at the very least. Tbh they seem to know next to nothing about muggles so I’m not surprised they’re not muggle born. Although they seem lost about some things in the wizarding world too so I don’t know what’s up with that. Maybe they grew up really sheltered or something.

Yeah, MC was never a muggle-born, there's basically no way to interpret them that way without completely ignoring the canon. If nothing else, we've always known they grew up in the wizarding world, they mentioned it in Ben's debut scene.

As far as MC's family all being in the same House as them, I can shrug it off. It's not especially surprising. MC is supposed to be our character to mold, (I mean, to a large extent they're not, but in theory they are) and virtually everyone is who they are because of how they were raised. (Basically every Psych class I've ever taken has taught me that childhood affects everything.) So in that sense, the writers won't want to give MC's family canon Houses, that might indicate their personalities, and indicate ways in which growing up with people of those Houses might have affected MC. They could probably do so with Jacob considering how well-defined he is by now, but back at the beginning of the game, he wasn't a character so much as he was an idea, and they may not have entirely known his personality yet. (Also there was that whole "Your brother ruined our reputation" bit that never made much sense, especially for Slytherin/Hufflepuff MCs...)

I think MC was absolutely sheltered, their mother was strict about them learning to ride a broomstick and seems to have been authoritative in general, at least before Jacob went missing. At which point she appears to have tuned out and become very hands-off. Not sure what that says, or what it means, but I bet MC didn't have very many friends (or any) other than Jacob, prior to their days at Hogwarts. With him gone, and Peregrine gone, and their mother flying off to see family (in New York apparently) MC would have been alone a lot of the time while they were at home, so I'm guessing they live for the friends they've made at school. Hell, that could play into why they might be tempted to join R. Like Peregrine pointed out, their time at Hogwarts is coming to it's end. And they really don't have a support system at all, outside of The Circle. Oh shit, they might be lured into The Cabal the same way that Merula was...

[amalthea-fictions]

*Light spoilers for Year 6*

So, when Fred and George first meet you, this is what Fred says (about having “heard a lot about MC”) :

He brushes it off like a joke, but what if it’s true because Charlie is always bragging about MC??? Like he’s just obsessed??

“She’s so cute! The other day she fell asleep on my arm in History of Magic and drools in her sleep but she’s somehow still adorable?”

“He’s got it bad,” Bill murmurs, rolling his eyes.

“William!” Molly scolds. “Do not roll your eyes at the dinner table.”

“And she sings and hums to herself when she thinks no one is looking, but her voice is actually so pretty!” Charlie keeps gushing.

“Ughlk.” Percy sticks out his tongue. “Can you PLEASE talk about something other than your precious curse-breaking girlfriend?”

Charlie’s face goes red. “Well uh. Uhm, she’s not really— er, not exactly— ahem…”

George and Fred share knowing looks.

[akaryuga]

Happy valentine's day everyone :D!

I really love this year valentine's side quests. So cute.(*˘︶˘*).｡.:*♡

But I think I will much much worry and cry a lot in that situation. ｡･ﾟ･(ﾉД`)･ﾟ･｡Merulaaaaaaa

This year don't have much time to make any dessert so I buy a cheese cake haha.

[khamoise]

<< Before reconciliation. >>

(Adult ver.)

[incorrecthogwartsmysteryquotes]

Merula: MC, if I make you breakfast in bed, a simple “thank you” will suffice. None of this “how did you get into my dorm” business. It’s real rude.